St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1887-04-04

Among all the ancents the diamond was
held as an amulet possessing wonderful
power and immense intrinsic value.
There are three forms in which the dia-
mond Is cut, the brilliant, the rose and the
table. The shape of the stone in many
cases is regulated by its form in the rough.
The brilliant is the most valuable the rose
second and the table last.
The only American diamond of consid-
cradle size and well vouched for, was found
by man named Benjamin Moore, aiaborer,
in the employ of James Fisher, Jr., at Man
chester, near Richmond, Va, in the month
of April. 1855. 1t weight was 2T.7 carats
The old writers mention imitation of dia-
monds by subjectiug the sapphire. amethyst.
topaz or chrysolire to fire, by which the
color was extracted and the brilliancy kept.
1t is common error that the diamond will
glsten in the dark. No more light ema-
mates from it than from any other stone.
Master Thomas Vicols gives this opinion
of the virtues of the diamond He says:
1t will make men rich and eloquent; it
will preserve from thunder and lightning;
it will create dreams. keep men chaste,
hinder fascination, stop withcraft. and
make men invisible"
The principal diamond mines are the dis
trictS of the East Indies, extending from
Cape Comorin to Bengal, and the Bra
lillian localities. They are found in the
Ural Russia, and upon the western coast
of Africa. Diamonds have been found in
Georgia recently, and i'll Wisconsin, so it is
said. In the year 1928 diamonds were
found in Brazil, at Tejuco, Oh the Rio San
Francisco.
In 1871 diamond of 1873 carats was
found on the Rio de Abaite by three Grim
inals who had escaped FROM Rio Janeiro.
Knowing 1t to be diamond, but not hay
ing any chance of disposing of it, they
consulted a priest, who advised them to
throw themselves upon the mercy of the
emperor and present their jewel. They
did SO, and were pardoned, his majesty
pocketing the diamond.
1t is only within 300 years that any sys-
tenn III the valuation of diamonds has been
arrived at. In Europe, until within the
past 200 years, there was no scale of value.
The old manner Of valuation, thus: If a
diamond OF a single carat was worth $40
three carats $500, is exploded as diamonds
become more plenty the quality determines
the value, that ranges from $50 to $500 per
carat
Much depends upon the taste and skill
of the lapidary in producing finely cut. clear
stones. Having decided upon the form he
will cut the stone, he next makes model
in lead. which model rests continually be-
|. fore him as guide to his labors. Cutting
is a work of great labor and time. Of the
relative value OF the cut and uncut diamond
there can be no positive certainty, though
it is understood that the finished stone is
worth three times the rough stone.
The diamond is cold to the touch and can
not be looked through, as can all limitations.
Before cut its coat is rough, and looks like
greenish glass. Until the year 1476 the
diamond was worn uncut. Many stones,
supposed to be the most beautiful in the
world. are in that state. Holland for a
long time held monopoly of diamond cut
ting. England gradually came in, and finally
the United States have turned out some
very nice work. New York and Chicago
are the headquarters for diamond cutting.
The composition OF the paste OF Paris
brilliant is line. pure white glass sand or
slick. the best OF which is found in Rhode
Island and exported to Paris for that use:
potash, boraX, read lead and arsenic; these
substances are put into crucible. which is
kept at great heat for twenty-four hours
or longer. The mixture which results is
called ''Strass;" it is cast into molds, cut
and polished the same as glass, and thus
receives all the facets and limitations of the
real stone. These brlliants have the rich
ness and refraction of the true diamond,
but not its hardness: few months wear
takes away their brilliancy. the air corrodes
their surface. An imitation can be readily
detected, either by the crucble or the file.
A file will make no impression upon the
genuine diamond, neither will the test OF
fire, but that must be used with care.